Arizona Snowbowl opens for business before mid-December

FLAGSTAFF - Arizona Snowbowl opens the slopes today for the 2007-'08 season, but today's skiers aren't the first ones on the runs.

Passholders and their friends made the first runs of the season on Wednesday.

After two years of paltry skiing because of below-average snowfall, snow storms on back-to-back weekends have coated the ski area with snow depth ranging from 34 inches at the base to 56 inches at mid-mountain.

Today's official opening is in line with the ski area's goal of a mid-December opening.